Oral history collection
Oral History is a spoken record of people’s memories, their stories and experiences of the past, which is recorded and preserved for posterity.
The City of Adelaide Oral History Collection
From 1978 to 2014 City of Adelaide conducted a series of oral history interviews. The aim was to capture their memories, experiences and relationships with the city.
131 people have been interviewed. These included former Lord Mayors, Councillors and long-serving Council employees, as well as elderly residents, well-known business identities and prominent community leaders. These interviews were transcribed and later digitised. The result is a fascinating and unique piece of recorded history about life in Adelaide.
A published guide to the Collection by Karen George, City Memory, A Guide and Index to the City of Adelaide Oral History Collection (Corporation of the City of Adelaide, 1999) is available for sale at the City Archives. You can also listen to recordings at the City Archives, located in Topham Mall, and in the State Library on North Terrace.
Alternatively, you can listen to a selection of digitised recordings which have been listed alphabetically (by surname).
View the full list of interviewees.